Standing in the living room of a 6,400-square-foot home overlooking Lake Michigan on a secluded stretch of shoreline north of Harbor Springs, Ryan Meier took in all the stunning details that he had a hand in shaping.
“I really love this job. I get to build cool stuff and work in big, beautiful houses on the water, in my hometown,” said Ryan, 17, a June 2025 graduate of Harbor Springs High School. “It couldn’t be nicer.”
Ryan is an entry-level carpenter with Bay Water Builders, a year-old, high-end construction company based in his hometown. He was recently celebrated by Char-Em ISD with a “Career Tech to Careers” signing event at an exclusive Forest Beach Drive home along M-119. Career Tech to Careers events were established by Char-Em’s Career and Technical Education Department to recognize high school students who pursue careers after graduation based in part on their enrollment in career tech classes in high school.
This interview and photo opp took place on a busy day at the work site, with cement trucks arriving and departing and dozens of crew members working on two towering neighboring homes under construction by Scott McShannock, Bay Waters owner.
During his high school career, Ryan said the Woodworking and Furniture Making class, a Career and Technical Education program, gave him insight and skills that have benefited him as a new carpenter. “I also really liked Mr. (Brad) Reed, the instructor,” Ryan noted.
He also enrolled in the Welding class offered at Pellston High School, which furthered his knowledge of techniques and work habits related to the skilled trades.
In addition, in January 2025 he began participating in the co-op program, or “work-based learning,” that has been reignited by Char-Em ISD career and technical education staff, along with Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialists from Northwest Michigan Works. There are now JMG specialists working in every Char-Em ISD school district in Emmet, Charlevoix, and northern Antrim counties.
Co-op allows students to work in career fields of interest with local employers for part of the school day, earning wages and credits toward graduation and honing work skills for after graduation. Ryan started part-time with Bay Water Builders in March 2025, spending half his day at school and half his day on the job, earning money.
“I would encourage any high school student to take CTE courses, and especially to take part in co-op,” said Ryan. “First, it helps shorten the school day, you get to work on things that interest you, and you can earn money through the school year. You also get a head start on your career.”
Bay Water owner McShannock said Ryan hit the ground running, working hard framing, setting trusses and other tasks, while also learning the ins and outs of the construction industry.
“As a new employer, as of about a year ago, I am now starting to hire more employees. I would love to get more kids coming out of career tech programs,” said McShannock. “Ryan really enjoys learning in this field, he’s here every day on time, and loves to learn.”
Ryan said his high school counselor, Shelby Richardson, connected him with the job opportunity and encouraged him to apply.
“This match with Ryan and Scott is one of my favorites,” said Richardson. “It’s a great company that wants to teach and share the love of the trade, and Ryan loves to work. It’s a success story.”
McShannock hopes schools will continue to expand a variety of skilled-trades programming to meet workforce demands, especially in Northern Michigan where summer homes and year-round construction projects are plentiful.
“There is a lot of opportunity in this area and in this field,” he said. “The ceiling is as high as you want to take it. Ryan could be me one day, running his own business.”
As part of the ISD’s Career Tech to Careers events, Ryan received a $200 gift card to Tractor Supply from the Mansfield Family Foundation, which has generously supported the ISD’s signing events and career tech initiatives for many years.
Photo caption, top of page: Pictured with Ryan Meier (center, seated) during a recent Career Tech to Careers signing celebration, are (from left) Hannah Sanderson, Char-Em ISD Career Tech Consultant; Tracy Beckley, Youth Services Regional Director, Northwest MiWorks!; Marc Svatora, JMG Specialist; Jim Rummer (seated, left), Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education Director; Meier; Bay Water Builders owner Scott McShannock (seated, right); and Tory Thrush, Career/College Readiness Consultant for Char-Em ISD.